Derivatives - Option Prices and the Time to Expiration

The price of an option has two components, the intrinsic value and the time value. The intrinsic value of an option is the difference between the actual price of the underlying security and the strike price of the option. The time value is determined by the remaining lifespan of the option, the volatility and the cost of refinancing the underlying asset (interest rates). For example:

Option

Strike

Option Premium

Stock

Intrinsic Value

Time Value

Call

5

$5

$36

$2

$3

Put

68

$4

$70

$2

$2

Call

30

$2

$30

$0

$2

Put

100

$6

$101

$1

$5

Longer-term calls, both American and European, typically have more value than short-term calls because there is more time to have an event that can occur to make them go in the money. In addition, they can be worth no less than their short-term cohorts. The same is true concerning American puts. However, European puts can only be exercised on the maturity date. If the put were to go into the money, one could exercise that option and receive the funds before the maturity date - that money could then be invested in another asset. Consequently, with the European put an investor has to wait to receive the funds and loses those extra days to earn additional income.